U-channel display unit

ABSTRACT

A display system for use with a shelf having a front edge. The display system include a U-channel arranged to be secured to the shelf adjacent the front edge. The U-channel includes a first rail, a second rail, and a pocket defined between the first rail and the second rail. The display system further includes a divider attachable to a rearward portion of the second rail, the divider adapted to define at least part of a storage bin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent claims the benefit of prior-filed United States ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/509,937, filed on Oct. 10, 2003, titled“U-Channel Display Unit,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and methodfor displaying products and, more particularly, to an adjustable systemfor displaying and storing items such as photo albums in a retailenvironment.

BACKGROUND

Many systems and methods of displaying consumer goods are known. Thesesystems often include shelves and wire racks for separating, positioningand displaying individual products or groups of products. For example,products such as photo albums may be placed on a shelf like books, orotherwise stacked in a suitable fashion, such that the products areavailable for examination and purchase by the consumer. Selection of aphoto album often involves elements of personal style and aestheticpreference, with the selection often involving a hands-on inspection ofthe displayed products.

In order to satisfy varying consumer preferences, photo albums areproduced in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and shapes to increasevariety and ultimately the buying options. Unfortunately, the processfor selecting a suitable photo album often leaves store shelves anddisplay areas cluttered and in disarray.

Known display systems generally provide a mechanism for stacking,arranging, or otherwise presenting the photo albums in order to maximizethe product density at the point of sale. However, display and storagedifficulties often arise due, in part, to the wide variety of photoalbum styles, shapes and sizes that retailers are required to stock inorder to satisfy the myriad of consumer preferences. These known displaysystems typically are assembled to accommodate to a specific productdimension or size, and thus such systems may not suitably accommodatethe wide variety of products that might be offered for sale by theretailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed display system,reference should be made to the following detailed description andaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary display system including aU-channel and a plurality of adjustable dividers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable U-channel shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustable U-channel and the adjustabledivider shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable U-channel shown in FIG. 1 in anopen configuration;

FIG. 5 is another side view of the adjustable U-channel shown in FIG. 1in a closed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the adjustableU-channel;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the adjustableU-channel; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the adjustableU-channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a display system 10 assembled inaccordance with the teaching of the present disclosure and shown mountedto a retail store shelf 12 or other suitable shelf. The shelf 12, whichis typically an elongate rectangular shelf, may include a perforatesurface 14 having a plurality of holes 14 a, as well as a front edge 16,a back edge 18, and a pair of side edges 20 a, 20 b. In use, the backedge 18 of the shelf 12 will typically be removably secured to ashelving unit or other suitable support structure (not shown) such thatthe front edge 16 extends towards the consumer. It will be understoodthat the shelving unit may employ multiple mounting brackets andhardware to support multiple shelves 12 at regularly spaced intervals.

The display system 10 includes a plurality of dividers 22 slideablysecured to at least one adjustable U-channel 24. Preferably, thedividers are adjustable as will be explained in further detail below.The adjustable U-channel 24 mounts adjacent to the front edge 16 of theshelf 12, with the U-channel, in an exemplary form of use, disposedgenerally adjacent to and parallel to the front edge 16 of the shelf 12.The U-channel 24 preferably forms a retaining channel sized tovertically display and store a photo album 17.

The dividers 22, when attached to the U-channel 24, define a pluralityof storage bins 26 a, 26 b. Additional storage bins (not shown) may beformed by additional dividers 22. The storage bins 26 a, 26 b, by way ofexample rather than limitation, can be configured to accept and organizeadditional photo albums 17 in a suitable manner, such as by placing theadditional albums upright similar to books on a bookshelf, or by placingthe albums on their sides in a stack. In this exemplary manner, theadjustable U-channel 24 retains the photo album 17 in one positionadjacent to the point of sale, while the storage bins 26 a, 26 b storeadditional stock or inventory of the photo album 17 in another position,still generally adjacent to the point of sale.

As will be apparent from FIG. 1, the U-channel 24 defines a pocket 25sized to accept the photo album 17. Preferably, the pocket 25 isadjustable. In particular, by adjusting the width of the U-channel 24(and hence the size of the pocket 25) in the direction indicated byarrow A, the overall width may be changed from a distance d to adistance D. Thus, the overall U-channel width can be adjusted toaccommodate a wide variety of photo albums 17.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the adjustable U-channel 24 includes first andsecond sections or rails 28, 30. The first rail 28 is roughly L-shapedand includes a vertical panel or leg 32 and a base 34. Similarly, thesecond rail 30 is roughly L-shaped and includes a vertical panel or leg32 and a base 38. In an exemplary form of operation, the first rail 28is positioned and secured adjacent to the front edge 16 of the shelf 12such that the base 34 is roughly parallel to the surface of the shelf12. Similarly, the second rail 30 is positioned to roughly mirror thefirst rail 28 such that the base 38 is adjacent to the base 34 andparallel to the surface of the shelf 12. In this way, the vertical leg32 and the extended vertical leg 32 are spaced apart and generallyparallel so as to define the pocket 25.

The distance between legs 32 and 36 can be adjusted by adjusting therelative positions of the first and second rails 28 and 30, thuschanging the overall width of the U-channel 24, e.g., from width d towidth D. A channel 40 formed in or otherwise attached to the base 34accepts the head of a fastener F. As shown in FIGS. 4-8, the fastener Fmay be used to secures the first rail 28 to the shelf 12 in a desiredlocation (i.e., a desired distance, or no distance, from the front edge16 of the shelf 12). In particular, the head of the fastener F engagesthe channel 40, and the shank of the fastener extends through a suitablehole formed in the shelf 12 (the perforate surface 14 makes more holesreadily available) to the underside of the shelf so as to be engagableby, for example, a threaded nut. Using any suitable form of fastener,the rail 28 may be secured to the shelf 12.

To modify the width of the U-channel 24, the base 38 of the second rail30 can be secured between the channel 40 and the surface of the shelf12. The base 34 may include a detent 42, which in the disclosed exampleis carried by a leg adjacent the channel 40, with the detent 42 sized toengage a selected one of a plurality of grooves 46, bounded by ridges44, and formed in the base 38. In accordance with the disclosed example,the detent 42 and grooves 46 cooperate to define discrete positions ofthe base 38 relative to the base 34 (and hence of the rail 28 relativeto the rail 30). When the overall width of the U-channel 24 has beenadjusted to the desired dimension, the fastener F can be tightened andsecured through the holes 14 a formed in the perforate surface 14 toinsure that the first and second rails 28, 30 remain in the desiredpositions.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary U-channel 24 in a fully openedconfiguration, i.e., the width between the vertical leg 32 and theextended vertical leg 32 equals the distance D. Preferably, the base 38includes an upwardly extending leg that abuts the outer structure of thechannel 40 to form a stop.

The vertical leg 32 may include a placard display system 48 having anupper and lower groove 50, 52 for accepting card stock that may beprinted with advertising, product information, etc. The placard displaysystem 48 supports card stock or paper within the upper and lowergrooves 50, 52 by forcing the paper to flex and bow to increase thestructural stability. In order to foster flexure of the paper or cardstock, the width of the card stock is preferably greater than the lineardistance between the upper groove 50 and the lower groove 52. Thus, uponinsertion of the card stock into the grooves 50, 52, the card stock isforced to bow and engage the placard display system 48.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the manner in which the adjustable divider 22cooperates with the extended vertical leg 32 of the second rail 30. Inparticular, the extended vertical leg 32 is formed with a pair of rails54, 56, which are preferably flexible. Each rail 54, 56 may include adeformable guide channel 58. The adjustable divider 22 includes firstand second slide channels 60, 62 sized to engage a corresponding rail54, 56, respectively.

The adjustable divider 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, preferably asubstantially planar panel that when oriented generally perpendicularrelative to the plane of the shelf 12 and perpendicular to the first andsecond rails 28, 30, divides the shelf 12 into the plurality of storagebins 26 a, 26 b. The first and second channels 60, 62 are formedperpendicular to the divider surface 64, which is preferably relativelystiff or rigid, and slide channels 60, 62 engage the rails 54, 56 andthe guide 58 to guide the lateral movement of the divider 22 along thesecond rail 30. By laterally shifting the adjustable divider 22 in thedirection indicated by the arrow B (as shown in FIG. 1) the storage bins26 a, 26 b can be resized to accommodate different sized products.

The divider 22 further includes a plurality of removable spacers 66formed toward a rear portion of the dividers 22, i.e., distal to thefirst and second sliders 60, 62. In use, the spacers 66 are positionedgenerally adjacent to the back edge 18. The removable spacers 66 can becut, torn away, or otherwise separated along a plurality of seams 68 oralong a suitable frangible connection to modify the length of theadjustable divider 22, which may also serve to compensate for selectedwidth of the adjustable U-channel 24 width and/or the depth of the shelf12. For example, the number of removable spacers 66 may be directlyrelated to the width of the U-channel 24 such that when the pocket 25 iscloser to the distance D, more spacers 66 must be removed. Conversely,if pocket is smaller with the U-channel 24 width approximately equal tothe distance d, few or none of the spacers 66 need be removed tocorrespond to the depth of the shelf 12.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the adjustable U-channel 24 in open and closedpositions. FIG. 4 illustrates the U-channel 24 secured to the shelf 12by the cooperation of the faster F and the channel 40. The U-channel 24is in an open or extended configuration, e.g., the first and secondrails 28, 30 are separated by the distance D, whereby the detent 42engages the groove 46 formed farthest from the extended vertical leg 32.FIG. 5 illustrates the U-channel 24 in the closed or retractedconfiguration, e.g., the first and second rails 28, 30 are separated bythe distance d. The retracted configuration is typified by the detent 42engaging the groove 46 formed adjacent to the extended vertical leg 32.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an adjustable U-channel70. The adjustable U-channel 70 includes a first L-shaped rail 72 and asecond L-shaped rail 74. The first and second L-shaped rails 72, 74 eachinclude a substantially flat base 76, 78 secured by the cooperation of ahole 14 a formed in the perforate surface 14 of the shelf 12. In thisembodiment the fastener F passes through each of the bases 76, 78 andthe hole 14 a such that the fastener head insures the relative positionof each of the L-shaped rails 72, 74. The flat bases 76, 78 may be flat,knurled or formed with interlocking ridges and grooves, such as theridges 44 and grooves 46 shown in FIG. 2, to insure discrete movementbetween each of the L-shaped rails 72, 74.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable U-channel 80. Theadjustable U-channel 80 includes a first rail 82 having a locking pocket84, and a second L-shaped rail 86 having a base 88. The locking pocket84 is sized to accept and secure the base 88. The locking pocket 84includes a detent 90 sized to engage a complimentary groove 92 formed inthe base 88. The fastener F passes through the locking pocket 84, andmay pass through the base 88 depending on distance between the firstrail 82 and the second rail 86, to secure the first and second rails 82,86 at a desired relative distance.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable U-channel 90. Theadjustable U-channel 90 includes a substantially L-shaped first rail 92having a base 94 formed with a plurality of retaining grooves 96. Thefirst rail 92 includes a channel 98 sized to accept the head of thefastener F. The fastener F, in turn, cooperates with a hold 14 a formedin the surface of the shelf 12 to secure the first rail 92. Theadjustable U-channel 90 further includes an arch 100 having a first andsecond detent 102,104 formed at the terminal end of each leg 106,108,respectively. The first and second detents 102,104 engage the retaininggrooves 96 to secure the arch 100 in a desired position relative to thefirst rail 92.

The exemplary display system 10 as disclosed allows consumers to examinea variety of different products, while providing a versatile andefficient organizational system for retailers. Furthermore, the displaysystem 10 can be used in conjunction with existing retail store shelvingand display units.

The preferred embodiments of this invention described herein, includethe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the describedinvention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments areexemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of theinvention.

1. A display system for use with a shelf having a front edge, thedisplay system comprising: a U-channel arranged to be secured to theshelf adjacent the front edge; the U-channel including: a first rail; asecond rail; a pocket defined between the first rail and the secondrail; a divider attachable to a rearward portion of the second rail, thedivider adapted to define at least part of a storage bin.
 2. The displaysystem of claim 1, wherein the first rail includes a placard displaysystem.
 3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first rail and thesecond rail are adjustable relative to one another such that the pocketis adjustable between a first size and a second size.
 4. The displaysystem of claim 3, wherein the first rail is formed to include a firstplurality of ridges and grooves and the second rail formed to include asecond plurality of ridges and grooves, wherein the first and secondplurality of ridges and grooves cooperate in an interlocking manner. 5.The display of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rails includes anextended panel adapted to act as a product support.
 6. The display ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second rails includes analignment rail, the divider arranged for mounting to the alignment rail.7. The display of claim 6, wherein the divider is adapted to slideablyengage the alignment rail.
 8. The display of claim 6, wherein thealignment rail is flexible and extends from a rear face of the secondrail.
 9. The display of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the dividerincludes at least one removable spacer attached by a frangibleconnection.
 10. The display of claim 1, wherein at least one of thefirst and second rails includes a channel sized to accept a fastener,the fastener cooperates with the surface of the shelf to secure at leastone of the first and second rails to the shelf.
 11. The display of claim1, wherein first and second rails are extruded, and wherein each of thefirst and second rails includes a first leg and a second leg.
 12. AU-channel display unit for use with a shelf, the U-channel display unitcomprising: a first L-shaped rail having a panel and a base; and asecond L-shaped rail having a panel and a base; wherein the base of thefirst rail and the base of the second rail are arranged to be attachedto one another in a plurality of positions so as to define a pluralityof differently sized pockets between the panel of the first rail and thepanel of the second rail.
 13. The display unit of claim 12, wherein thepanel of the second rail includes a flexible alignment rail formed on arearward surface.
 14. The display unit of claim 14, further comprising:a pair of dividers attachable to the rearward portion of the panel ofthe second rail and adapted to define at least one storage bin.
 15. Thedisplay unit of claim 15 wherein a rear portion of the dividers includesat least one spacer attached by a frangible connection.
 16. The displayunit of claim 12, wherein the base of the first L-shaped rail includes achannel sized to accept a fastener, the fastener sized to engage theshelf to secure the first L-shaped rail to the shelf.
 17. A method ofconfiguring a display system on a shelf having a shelf edge, the methodcomprising: securing a first L-shaped rail along the shelf edge;positioning a second L-shaped rail opposite the first L-shaped rail suchthat the first and second L-shaped rails define a U-channel; andsecuring a pair of spaced apart dividers to at least one of the rails toform storage bin.
 18. The method of claim 18, further comprisingadjusting the length of the divider by detaching a removable spacer. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein positioning the second L-shaped railincludes positioning a base of the second L-shaped rail adjacent to abase of the first L-shaped rail.
 20. The method of claim 17, whereinsecuring the dividers includes the step of sliding the dividerssubstantially along a guide rail carried by the second L-shaped rail.